True Gratitude Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
I do not believe that we could ever think too much about true gratitude. When I am counting my blessings, I do not have time to moan and groan. At one time, I thought that I could count all of my blessings on the fingers of one hand and have most fingers not used. When I came into the AA Program, I was quickly advised, in not too soft terms, to really look deep and then count again. I had, at one time, thought seriously about committing suicide and backed out at the last minute each time. “What good is my life if I feel the way that I do?” was what I thought. For one, without life, how can I possibly have any improvements if I am not alive to take advantage of them?
I quickly saw many now Happy, Joyous, and Free people in the program who I knew had been just as miserable as I before starting to work the AA Program. So, I had some incentive to follow their next suggestion of “Fake it till you make it.” Then faking thinking well of being alive and starting to look for other “excuses” to feel better. I was noticing that, as I “faked it” I started feeling better about myself. This led quickly to my feeling better about others, triggering my observing that others were also looking at and treating me differently. This, of course, led to the beginnings of true gratitude.
Now, this was showing me that the Spiritual Law of Attraction really works. What I put into life, I get in return. Just like what I put into a mirror is exactly what I get back. Some of the people who I had previously thought of as real jerks seemed to be turning into pretty nice people. My name is Jim and I am an alcoholic and addicted to everything, so, one was not enough. This meant that I wanted more, much more. And then I noticed that the more I gave, the more I received. Today, I have a life that money can’t buy. Is every day full of chuckles? Of course not, but if I don’t drink or drug today, I have true gratitude for choices and I choose to be Happy, Joyous, and Free. Problems are a part of this human experience.
When I have a problem, I can CHOOSE what to do about it rather than have the problem control me. Do I like everyone that I meet? Of course not. But that is all right as long as I can see the Christ in them, love them for that, and move on. For this I now have so much true gratitude because my life is so much more mellow.
See how simple this program really is? Not always easy because my human tendencies sometimes enter the situation, but really simple. I have discovered that the more that I do for others, the more I feel good about myself and, loving that feeling, I try to do this regularly. The more true gratitude that I have, the more that I have to be grateful for. I have discovered that there are jillions of people who only want to help with whatever they are approached with. This is a complete 180 from what I once firmly believed.
The solution is not rocket science. It only requires that I don’t drink, have an open mind, and help others. Life can’t get much simpler than this! It also continues to be almost overpoweringly gratifying leading to much more on a consistent basis. When I say that my life is just getting better all the time, this is why. I have true gratitude for I have no needs any more. Wants and desires? Of course, but today my wants and needs are pretty much the same.
My introduction to Spirituality has led to ALL of this. My Step 3s now include many more “Thank you Gods” than the “God Help ME’s” that I started with. I still say “God Help Me” when at one of life’s forks in the road. Then, when it is done, it is quickly followed with “Thank you God.” It works for me and I firmly believe it can work for you, but only if you choose it. Remember, if you did not drink or drug today, you can CHOOSE. You don’t “Got’s to,” you “Get’s to.” What do you really want?”
Do you want to be Happy, Joyous, and Free? Then “Fake it till you make it!” True gratitude just seems to flow without effort after realizing the rewards of simply being grateful. Then after working this for a while, please get back to me and let me know how, or even if, it worked. I really want to know.
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